Symphony X - Underworld review
| Band: | Symphony X |
| Album: | Underworld |
| Style: | Symphonic power metal, Progressive metal |
| Release date: | July 24, 2015 |
| A review by: | Belegûr |
01. Overture
02. Nevermore
03. Underworld
04. Without You
05. Kiss Of Fire
06. Charon
07. To Hell And Back
08. In My Darkest Hour
09. Run With The Devil
10. Swan Song
11. Legend
After 4 years of waiting since the release of Iconoclast, Symphony X return with Underworld, an album that may divide fans of the band depending on the expectations placed on this 9th studio effort. Here we have an album of safe yet solid progressive metal tracks with few risks taken in terms of song structure, and another step away from any neoclassical elements present on earlier albums.
Underworld is a heavy progressive album with an abundance of power metal elements thrown in. "Underworld" clearly demonstrates this and really deserved to be the album opener instead of the mid-tempo and somewhat uninspired "Nevermore". Russell Allen stands out on the former with a powerful soaring chorus mixed with more aggressive vocals towards the end of the track. Despite this mistake in the order of the tracks, Underworld does enough to keep the 65 minutes interesting. Ballads like "Without You" and "Swansong" are placed between heavy tracks and just when things might get a bit samey the band throw an epic like "To Hell And Back" in the mix.
Michael Romeo continues to impress as a quality guitarist with technical yet somehow tasteful guitar solos and the ability to hold back during choruses, allowing Russell Allen to shine instead. It's just a shame that several tracks are carried with uninteresting riffs that seem beneath him. I was pleasantly surprised with the heaviness of "Kiss Of Fire," a track utilising some brief blasts on the drums and a fantastic vocal performance. It is clear from the performance of Russell Allen that he has been influenced by his work in other projects like Adrenaline Mob and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Despite describing the album as safe, there are some stand out moments where Symphony X extend beyond concise 5 or 6 minute tracks. "To Hell And Back" has an amazing intro that carries as a theme throughout the entire track. It's a fantastic song and has every band member on top form. Fortunately, this 9 minute track isn't the only one that shows the prowess of each band member. I was very impressed with the keyboards which seemed to always be there in the background and would suddenly appear at the forefront with a solo to stop the guitar dominating each song.
What is clear from Underworld is that Symphony X is capable of writing fine-tuned progressive metal. The album flows pretty well and has enough hooks and emotional moments to stop it simply being a technical demonstration. It is a solid effort with "Run With The Devil" being the only track that could perhaps be described as filler and the lyrics sometimes being a bit inferior to the music. Songs are catchy, riffs are for the most part memorable and do not overstay their welcome. All of this is made possible through excellent production and songwriting from a band that knows how to produce real quality musically even when playing it safe. Underworld may become divisive, but it is a solid effort that deserves your attention.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Belegûr | 13.07.2015
Rating:
8.9
8.9
|
Rating: 8.9 |
Fantastic production and instrumental prowess make up for some cheesy song titles & lyrics. Read more ›› |
Rating:
N/A
N/A
|
Rating: N/A |
In medias res - I guess I'm just missing some neoclassical bits and the monumental compositions that grab me and drag me along from start to finish. Read more ›› |
Comments
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Comments: 38
Visited by: 580 users
| SoUnDs LiKe PoP Posts: 1060 |
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62038  |
Might check this out when its will be streaming officially online as often new albums are
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Unhealer Eclecticist Posts: 2311  |
The score seems a bit higher than I thought it to be based on what you wrote, but the words are what's important anyway. I won't like this at all based on the two songs released so far, but I expect to find a few good tracks at least.
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365  |
Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 13.07.2015 at 18:09 I enjoyed the album and I'm not a fan of the band. I've only heard a few of their albums, but have always thought they were talented. Hope you check it out when it's released. Written by Unhealer on 13.07.2015 at 18:59 Well I do kind of say it's "solid" and a well made album. The score is sort of my final thought on the album and an 8.9 is just below "Excellent". I think it's pretty fair. I say one track seems to be filler and that the other tracks have great performances as well as production. I think the average of my ratings at the bottom is around 8.8. Like you say, the review itself is whats important. I am hoping people will read it and try not to focus on the score I have given 
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| Doge of Venice Posts: 442  |
Yeah, I'm a little confused by your description of 'safe yet solid', yet giving it a score of 8.9, which clearly implies it's a very strong effort. Not dissing your review, but that just feels like a contradiction. Maybe clear up your terms or make the score feel related to what you wrote.
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by Doge of Venice on 13.07.2015 at 19:51 8.9 is within the "very good" category. The album isn't excellent and it's not the most original, but it was enjoyable. I don't really need to clear up my terms or change the score. I'm quite happy with what I wrote .
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| Doge of Venice Posts: 442 |
Written by Belegûr on 13.07.2015 at 20:05 That's fair enough. I just don't really equate 'safe and solid' with 'very good', but to each his own.
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by Doge of Venice on 13.07.2015 at 20:20 Well from what I read on the website, the final score is for the reviewers overall impression of the album. Solid - reliable, constant throughout, not hollow Safe - They haven't taken risks, but it doesn't stop it being of high quality I didn't think people would think calling something "safe yet solid" would be a bad thing  . Originally I had it between 8.5 and 8.9, a couple of things stop it being excellent to me so I went with 8.9. Again though, I hope people read it and don't focus on a number.
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| LeKiwi High Fist Prog Posts: 4100  |
Can this be compared to any of their previous albums? I know you said there is a diminished neoclassical element, but not quite sure how diminished...
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by LeKiwi on 13.07.2015 at 20:33 A further departure from Iconoclast. It's virtually non existent except for some Romero guitar solos.
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| LeKiwi High Fist Prog Posts: 4100 |
Written by Belegûr on 13.07.2015 at 20:36 Their albums were getting consistently heavier and more groove oriented over time, but from what I read in your review it seems they have incorporated some softer, dare I say cheesier, elements. As someone who's enjoyed all their albums barring the first two, do you think this is for me?
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by LeKiwi on 13.07.2015 at 20:57 You have summed it up pretty well actually. Definitely heavier and groove oriented. I also say that they have incorporated quite a few power metal elements, especially in choruses. Some of it is pretty cheesy haha. If you have enjoyed all their albums except the first two, then I think this will be an album you will really enjoy.
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| mariano Posts: 372 |
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by mariano on 13.07.2015 at 21:14 I do say they have stepped even further away from any neoclassical elements, a step that was taken on Iconoclast too. Though this album is definitely closer in style to that album than any of their others.
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| LeKiwi High Fist Prog Posts: 4100 |
Written by Belegûr on 13.07.2015 at 21:00 Heavier and more groove oriented. That's exactly what I wanted to hear  I don't mind a bit of cheese, so long as it's tasteful.
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| phanto Posts: 163 |
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| marvrldrive80 Posts: 2 |
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by marvrldrive80 on 14.07.2015 at 14:48 Hey! Glad you liked the review. I know the sound you are talking about. The intro to the album "Overture" really reminded me of that style, but it definitely isn't present through the rest of the album. I can safely say if you disliked Paradise Lost and especially Iconoclast then you will not enjoy this album either. It is definitely closer to those albums than the older material.
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| marvrldrive80 Posts: 2 |
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| BlankFile Posts: 706 |
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| mariano Posts: 372 |
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| Doge of Venice Posts: 442 |
Written by Belegûr on 13.07.2015 at 20:25 I guess from an objective stand point, your score isn't really that far from what you said. So apologies! I like adventurous releases, so while I don't consider "safe yet solid" a bad thing, I just don't consider it anything out of the ordinary. But thanks for your clarification.
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| Wes Posts: 424  |
8.9 for an album that continues along the path of Iconoclast, no risks taken? Looks like another 5/10 from the looks and sounds of it. I may be surprised though, but not by much. Still glad to have Odyssey and earlier.
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| Belegûr Arise In Might! Posts: 365 |
Written by Wes on 16.07.2015 at 18:39 Opinions are great aren't they?
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| qlacs "The Quaker" Posts: 1547  |
Written by Belegûr on 16.07.2015 at 18:52 Two remarks - it's really great that you could enjoy the album fresh and without prejudice and expectations, unlike most fans of SX do. Even though I liked Divine Wings of Tragedy and The Odyssey, I enjoyed the recent releases as well and it's nice to see someone who could put a similar view into words. On the other hand, I believe many people believe that 9s and 10s can only be given to extraordinary things on this site, which is pure bulls**t. If one really enjoys a release, why would that not count above average? There's a fine line between objective and subjective ratings. Anyway, thanks again dude for the review, keep them coming.
---- 
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| Zap Posts: 3586  |
Written by qlacs on 19.07.2015 at 20:39 Above average is more like a 7 to me. In any case, I usually ignore whatever rating reviewers on this site put next to their reviews since everyone interprets a scale of 1 to 10 differently. The text is more important to me.
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| Lord_Regnier Posts: 1469  |
Written by Zap on 19.07.2015 at 21:06 Exactly, I never cared (and will never care) for the rating. What matters is what the reviewer has to say. We have excellent reviewers (both male and female) on this site who can describe the overall sound of an album well enough that I can get a good idea as if it has a chance to fit my tastes. That's all I need. As far as I'm concerned, I would ban ratings if I could, so people would actually discuss the music, instead of squabbling over ratings.
---- "Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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| AdrianoVieiraESilva Posts: 18 |
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| AdrianoVieiraESilva Posts: 18 |
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